Method and apparatus for manufacturing articles such as buttons



May 25, 1954, E. A. BRUCKMAN 2,679,176

- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ARTICLES SUCH AS BUTTONS FiledNov. 15, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 17 6 I 28a Z7 25 {M II May 25, 1954 FiledNov. 15, 1949 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING E A. BRUCKMAN2,679,176

ARTICLES SUCH AS BUTTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. E'rwfl final/1mmMay 25, 1954 E, A.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BRUCKMAN ARTICLES SUCH AS BUTTONS4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 15, 1949 a a 4 4 ik INVENTOR.

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May 25, 1954 5 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING A. BRUCKMANARTICLES SUCH AS BUTTONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 15, 1949 71d f 74:K 74? 2 74a .0 749 INVENTOR.

0 w a M m w Q m Patented May 25, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHODAND APPARATUS FOR MANUFAC- TURING ARTICLES SUCH AS BUTTONS Eric A.Bruckman, Federalsburg, Md., assignor to Excelsior Pearl Works, Inc.,Federalsburg, Md., a corporation of New York Application November 15,1949, Serial No. 127,392

16 Claims.

The'present invention relates to the manufacture of articles such asbuttons and more particularly to the frazing and drilling of the shanksof buttons.

a plurality of blanks or otherwise shaped for sub- 3 sequent operations.Where buttons of the socalled shank type are to be formed, the shankportion has to be ground on the blank. It is customary to form a pair ofside channels in the shoulder and shank of the blank to provide suitablegrooves for holding the thread in place when the button is sewed to afabric. The forming of the grooves is usually referred to as frazing.Following this, an aperture is drilled laterally through the shank.

The operations in both the frazing and drilling are complicated due tovariations in the hardness of the material because the character of thematerial varies with different shells and with different portions of thesame shell. Thus hard spots may be encountered, which requires longerdrilling and a longer cycle of operation. In addition, there arevariations in the size of the blanks due to limitations in manufacture.In some blanks the shanks may be longer than others; likewise thethickness of the blanks may vary.

Heretofore the frazing and drilling operations have required an extendedamount of labor by skilled operators. This has increased the cost of thefinished article and in addition has occasioned defective buttons due tothe human element involved.

The present invention aims to overcome the above objections by providingan automatic machine for the drilling and frazing operations which willminimize the labor required, eliminate the necessity for skilledoperators, and minimize the defective buttons resulting in themanufacturing operations. I

An object of the invention is to provide an improved method for formingside grooves in the shoulders and shanks of buttons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved methodand means for drilling apertures in buttons.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method andcompletely automatic machine, started by the depression of a singlebutton and stopped in like manner for frazing and drilling the shoulderand shanks of buttons.

Another object of the invention is to provide for automatic variationsin the drilling period, which in some cases may exceed the drillingperiod alloted in the normal cycle of the machine, thereby to drill at arapid rate blanks of soft material and at the same time successfullydrill blanks of hard material.

Another object of the invention is to provide interlocking means toprevent simultaneous operation of the frazing and drilling devices andto avoid any interference of one with the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved safety devices ina machine of the type scription and is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the machine,illustrating various parts thereof;

Fig. la is a top view of the hopper motor and the preferred mechanismthrough which it drives the hopper;

Fig. 2 is a top and side view of a button blank adapted to be formedinto a button by the present method and machine;

Fig. 2a is a top plan and sectional side view illustrating the buttonblank of Fig. 2 before the frazing and after completion of the frazingrespectively, with the frazing tools diagrammatically indicated indot-dash lines;

Fig. 2b is a top plan and side view of a finished button, with anaperture drilled through the' shank of the button;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through the hopper for feedingthe blanks to the machine;

Fig. 3a is a fragmentary section along the line 3a--3a of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the mechanism for positioningand holding a blank for the frazing and drilling operations and alsoillustrating the means for selecting and releasing the blanks;

Fig. 4a is a fragmentary view along the line 4a--4a of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line- 5-5 3 of Fig. 4 illustratingthe blank positioning and holding means;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 65 of Fig. 4 illustrating themeans for operating the blank positioning and holding means;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the cams which move the frazingdevices in and out of position and which time various other operationsby opening and closing suitable electric circuits;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the control box with the cover removed,illustrating the means for moving the frazing devices in and out ofposition and the cam for timing the other operations;

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections inthe preferred embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a preferredembodiment of the motor and drive mechanism for the hole-forming drill;and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrating an attachment forinterconnecting the drill with its driving means to absorb shocks andside motion.

General description Referring again to the drawings illustrating apreferred embodiment of the invention and one way of practicing themethod, there is shown in Fig. 1 a perspective view of the entiremachine. Described generally the machine comprises a hopper l whichfeeds button blanks to a guideway 2 where the positioning means shown inFig. 4 hold the bottom blank in position to be frazed and drilled. Apair of frazing devices 5 and 6, comprising motors and drills or millingtools, are mounted on a slidable base i for movement into and out ofoperating position. A drilling mechanism t comprising a motor and anassociated drive mechanism is shown at one side of the machine fordrilling an aperture through the shank of the button.

In the preferred embodiment, the frazing devices are first movedinwardly to mill a pair of side grooves leading to the buttonhole andthereafter a hole is drilled through the shank, a control box s is shownat the right of the machine comprising, as shown in Fig. 8, cams and aseries of switches for timing the various operations. A suitable drivein the form of a motor 9 may be provided in the base It of the machinefor driving the cams, which time the various operations.

Blank and finished button Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 2a.and 2b, a blank ll having a shank i2 is illustrated. Preferably theblank is formed from sea shells, by suitable cutting, slicing andgrinding operations. While other types of blanks may be utilized withoutdeparting from the invention, the machine and method will be describedwith reference to the blank illustrated. As shown in Fig. 2a, a pair ofside grooves i5 is milled in the shank l2 and the shoulders iii of thebutton. The frazing or milling tools It shown in dot-dash linesillustrate a final position of the tools at the conclusion of thefrazing operation. The tools are set to out slightly into the shoulderof the blank, thus providing a guide for the hole to be drilled throughthe shank. This lateral aperture is formed by the drilling devicedescribed hereinafter.

The finished button, as shown in Fig. 2b, has side grooves it formed inthe shoulder l3 and shank l2 of the button and a lateral aperture I ldrilled through the shank l2. The side grooves the receptacle ll.

4 eliminate sharp edges which tend to fray the thread used for sewingthe button in place. The fraze and drill hole are perfectly aligned.There are no steps or ridges to interfere with subsequent automaticsewing operations.

Blank feed A preferred embodiment of the mechanism for feeding theblanks is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 3 and comprises arevolving shell ll, a ring l3 rotating with it, a stationary curved part2| and a channel or guideway 2 attached to the hopper by a bracket 3.The guideway extends from the underside of the top of the revolvingshell IT to the selecting and positioning mechanism below. The ring l8,interchangeable for different sizes of blanks, is fastened by screws tothe back of the revolving shell I! and has a series of U-shaped recessesl9 in the inner periphery thereof. The under or open sides of theserecesses [9 are closed by the outer rim '25 of the stationary curvedpart 2E. The rim or flange 28 projects slightly above the bottom of theU-shaped recesses l8, except at the entrance to the guideway, so thatthe enlarged part of the button blank will rest against the rim, asshown in Fig. 3a, and hence be held in the recesses Hi. If, however, theshank part of the blank is downward in the recess, the blank will tumbleout of the recess down to the bottom of the receptacle with the rest ofthe blanks.

A supply of blanks is placed in the lower side of the hopper i. As theshell l'l rotates, the recesses is pick up blanks. Where the shank isup, the blank is carried by the ring it, being held by the rim 20 untilthe blank registers with the upper end of the guideway 2. At this pointa suitable recess in the guideway 2 permits the blank to slide into theguideway. Preferably the left side of the guideway, shown in Fig. 1, isshorter than the right side So that when the guideway becomes filledwith blanks the excess blanks may roll ofi and drop back into thereceptacle. In this way by operating the hopper at a little greater ratethan the frazing and drilling operations, the guideway will be filled atall times with blanks and the excess will spill over from the upper endof the guideway back into As pointed out above, where blanks are pickedup by the recesses it with the shanks downward; that is, in invertedposition, they drop out of the recesses because the rim 26 of thestationary part 2| is not sumciently high to retain such blanks in therecesses Hi. In this way only blanks in upright position; that is, asshown in Fig. 3 are delivered to the guideway 2. The hopper may berefilled while the machine is in operation. The blanks in the guideway 2serve as a reserve supply permitting momentary stoppage of the hopperwithout stopping the machine. The recesses it are properly sized toreject oversize blanks.

Any suitable drive may be provided for the hopper. As illustrated inFig.la, a hopper motor 26 of the gear ratio type is preferred. By the use ofa reduction gear 25 the output driving spindle 23 operates in ahorizontal position at right angles to the armature of the motor 28 andturns bevel gears 28 and 28a. Bevel gear 28 is coupled to friction plate29 shown in Fig. 3. The revolving shell l! is driven by the friction ofplate 23 against plate 2911 which is attached to the rear of the shell.In case of stoppage friction plate 29 slips until such stoppage has beenremoved, thus preventing breakage of parts. Aii' alternative Selecting,holding and releasing devices Referring more particularly to Figs.4 to 6illustrating preferred embodiments of devices for" selecting a blank,holding it during the frazing and drilling operations, and thereafterreleasing it, there is shown a base or frame 30 having an upstandingsupporting member 3| secured to the lower end of the guideway 2. As theblanks fall by gravity down the guideway 2, the lowermost blank engagesthe upper end of a supporting and releasing member 32, as shown in Fig.4. The releasing member 32' is pivoted at 34 with its lower end attachedat 35 to the core 36 of a magnet 31. The opposite end of a rod connectedwith the core has secured to it a manipulating button 38. The releasemember 32 is normally held in its effectiveposition for supporting thebottom blank in the guideway by means of a spring 39 attached to themagnet core 36 and to After a blank has a bracket 40 on the frame. beenfrazed and drilled, the magnet 31 operates to pull the core 36 to theright, which swings the upper end of the release member 32 to the left,permitting a button to drop down into a drawer or receptacle, not shown;there may be provided sufficient space between .the member 32 and theadjacent cover plate to allow the button to drop straight down betweenthese two parts. into the receptacle. If it is desired to remove some orall of the blanks inthe guideway 2, the button 33 on the core .36 of themagnet may be pulled in and out manually to release as many blanks asdesired or to remove a defective blank. It isfrequently necessary toempty the guideway at the end of the day, and the hand operation offersa convenient means of attaining this result. Dust or small particlesresulting from the frazingand drilling may be drawn into a conduitthrough a screen, shown in Figs. 1 and 5, beneath the frazing tools, andpreferably the interior of the tube is subjected to vacuum.

It is necessary that the blank be held accurately and firmly in positionduring the frazing and drilling operations. At the end of the guideway,or if desired at an interruption in the guideway just above the upperend of the release member 32, a pair of gripping members 4| (Fig. 5) isprovided having cylindrical recesses at their ends 42 for gripping theperiphery of the blank. The gripping members 4| are pivoted at 44 withtheir opposite ends secured together by a spring 45 tending to hold thegripping ends in open position.

The gripping members 4| are closed about a blank by means of a magnet orsolenoid 41, the core of which is attached to a rod 48. The upper end ofthe rod 48 is operatively connected to a U-shaped wedge member 49through the intermediation of a spring 56. When the magnet 41 pulls therod 48 downwardly, the spring 56 forces the wedge member 49 downwardly,which in turn swing the pivoted gripping members -4| about 6 theirpivots to close the gripping ends 42 about a blank to hold it securelyin position. The spring 50 will compensate for variations in blankdiam.- eters. After=the frazing and drilling operations are completed,the rod 48 is raised by means of the magnet or solenoid 52 operativelyconnected to a pivoted lever 54 attached-to the rod. The wedge member 49rests against the block member 63, which is adjustably positioned on rod48, and this block serves to lift the wedge member upon upward movement.1

It is desirable that the hole drilled laterally in the shank be spacedat a uniform distance from the face of the underside of the blank; Insome instances, the shanks vary in length and in thickness. In order toaccomplish this, the presentinvention forces the'button outwardly sothat the flange is in firm engagement with suitable stops 55 during thefrazingand drilling operations. Apusher rod 56 for engaging the topsurface of the-button is attached to a block 51 and held in itsretracted position by a compression spring 58. The left side of theblock 51 has an inclined surface 59 engaging an inclined surface 66 on ablock 6| that extends around the vertically movable rod 48. The block 51is forced to the right by the magnet 4'! drawing the rod 48 downwardly,"through the intermediation of the spring 62 which is forced downwardlyadjustable member 63 fixed tothe rod 48.

Thus, as the magnet 4T operates, the rod '48 is pulled downwardly, whichresiliently forces'the member" 49 downwardlytoswing the pivoted members4| and close the gripping ends 42 about the blank. Simultaneously thespring 62 forces the member 6| downwardly against the cam surface 59 ofthe block 51 fixed to the pusher rod 56. The spring 62 cushions theoperation topre- The'sprlng also compensates for variations in size. Thepusher vent breakage of the blanks.

rod forces-the button outwardly into its outermost position to givemaximum projection of the shank for the drilling operation and a uniformposition of the hole with respect to the face of the blank. On theupward stroke'of rod 48 an adjustably positioned block 63, which may besecured in position by a set screw or otherwise, moves the tapered block6| upwardly.

When the release member 32 is swung from under a blank, the blanks abovethe bottom have to be supported or they would drop out of the guideway2. For the purpose of supporting these blanks, there is provided aflexible supporting member 64 extending through a duct 64a in the frameand normally protruding into the channel of the guideway 2 soas toengage the top surface of the blank to be supported. The member 64 isattached to a slidable block member 65. A suitable slot 61 in thesliclable member 65 permits it to extend over the rod 48 and at the sametime to be slidable longitudinally. The left end of the block 65 engagesa cam surface 68 on a vertical member 69 having its lower end secured tothe core of a magnet 70. The member 69 is resiliently retained in itsupper effective position by a compression spring H. The magnet in iseffective when energized to draw the member 69 downwardly and permit thespring 66 to disengage the holding member 64. When the magnet 18 is notenergized the compression spring 7| effective position;

Frazing mechanism The mechanism for shaping the side grooves, calledherein the frazing operation, is shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and8. Referring to Fig. 1, a pair of frazing devices 5 and 6 are showncomprising motors I04 and 104a having frazing or milling tools we andIBM secured in suitable chucks Hi6 and "16a mounted on the ends of themotor shafts. Unlike the conventional frazing tools which arethree-fluted and made of high-speed steel, frazing tools 105 and I05aare made of carbide and have a special six-fluted design which tends tocut down shock and provide more cutting surface. The motors H14 and Iilaare mounted on brackets I01 and lflla. Since the two motors aresimilarly mounted, a description of one will be sufficient. The bracketI! is suitably secured to the motor [04 by a bolt Hit or any othersuitable means. The lower end of the bracket is secured on one side by abolt Hi9 and on the other by a plate Ht held in position by a bolt ill.

The plate He engages the inner projections of both the brackets id? andMild to co-operate with the bolt I09 to hold bracket Nil in position andto co-operate with the bolt 109a to hold the bracket 101a in position.It will be noted that the brackets I91 and Ifll'a are bolted to a baseplate I I2. The base plate l 12 has an inverted V- shaped groove llSa oneither side as have the frame members H5. The grooves l War in membersH2 and H combine to form a diamondshaped channel H4. Preferably ballbearings are placed in the channel l M to slidably mount the plate H2. Acover plate 125, secured to and movable with the slidable plate H2,minimizes entry of dust and dirt into the channel between the tray andthe frame. The inverted xi-shaped grooves on the opposite side areconcealed by the lever H6. The slidably mounted base plate H2 carryingthe fraaing devices 5 and B may be moved inwardly so that the frazingtools Hi5 and N560 mill the shanks and shoulders of the buttonspresented. This to-and-fro movement is accomplished by the lever H6operatively connected to the base plate l i2 by the link i ll at one endand by means of a cam roller H8 on the other end in engagement with acam i it shown in Fig. '7 mounted upon shaft I20 and driven by the motor9 in the base of the machine through the intermediation of a reductiongear l2l.

As the cam H9 rotates, the plate H2 and the frazing devices mounted uponit are moved into and out of frazing position so that a frazingoperation is performed during each rotation of the cam l [-9. Thefrazing operation occupies approximately one-third and the drillingoperation approximately two-thirds of the time required for a singlecycle. Where the material of the blank is sufficiently hard that thedrilling operation cannot be completed during this period, as will bedescribed hereinafter, the inward movement of the frazing motors for thenext cycle is prevented until the drilling operation has been completed.

In order to provide accurate adjustment of the frazing devices 5 and 6,to compensate for wear in regrinding the tools and the like, aneccentric adjustment is preferred. Such an adjustment is achieved by abracket E22 secured to the slidable plate H2 having a bolt lid in a slotthereof and by the eccentric cam I lie on the connecting link ill. Theeccentric portions of the bolts I24 and l24a fit in suitable recesses inthe brackets 10! and "Na. By loosening the bolts 109, [09a and HI androtating the bolts H4 and l24a, fine adjustments may be obtained. Thebolts I09 and idea may fit in suitable slots permitting such adjustment.The eccentric cam Illa allows a fine depth adjustment of the plate I I2,and consequently of the entire frazing head with respect to link H1.Plate H2, the frazing carriage, may be pulled back for accessibilityduring tool changes, the link ill swinging about pivot Hlb. Byuncoupling link Ill, the frazing plate H2 may be withdrawn and thebutton may be drilled without preliminary frazing. Conversely, thefrazing operation alone may be performed by cutting out the drillcircuit panel switch Mp.

Drilling operation Any suitable drive may be utilized for drilling thelateral aperture in the shank of the button but a special type of motoris preferred and is illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The motor ispreferably a two-speed motor, the high speed being about 3600 R. P. M.and the low speed about 1100 R. P. M. A suitable attachment to the motormoves the drill forward until the hole is drilled, whereupon the highspeed winding is automatically disconnected, the low speed becomeseffective, and the drill is automatically withdrawn.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 10, there is shown a motor it havinga fan 15 at one end for cooling purposes. The right side of the motorand the driving mechanism is broken away to give a horizontal sectionillustrating the parts of the drive and control mechanism. The driveshaft of the motor (not shown) has a gear (not shown) beneath andmeshing with the gear l6, which in turn rotates the sleeve ll and theparts thereon. A slidable collar '58 extends about and is keyed to ashaft 19 which extends outwardly to the drill chuck holder fill andwhich is keyed to rotate with the sleeve ll. Normally a compressionspring 8! intermediate a member 82 and the opposite end of the member'78 retains the member 18 in its extreme left position, as shown in Fig.10. A series of weights of centrifugal elements -84 are mounted withinthe roof-shaped housing, one side of which is the left end of the collar78 and the other side is a member B5. The weights 84 are cam-shaped tofit against the inclined walls of the member 85 and 78. When the drillis rotating at high speed, that is, 3600 R. P. these weights are thrownoutwardly and force the collar is and shaft '19 to the right, whichfeeds the drill forward as the speed increases. Thus the drillautomatically moves forward to drill the hole with the drill motor 74 ona stationary mounting. If the drill encounters a hard spot or aparticularly hard shank, the rate at which the drill is fed forward isreduced, because of the increased resistance offered to the drill by theharder material. This resistance is transmitted back through the drillhead to member l8 which opposes further movement to the right bycentrifugal weights 8 until the additional resistance has been overcome.The drill motor M maintains a constant number of revolutions per minute,however. In this way the drilling rate is decreased when a hard materialis encountered, giving ample time for the drilling operation even withthe hardest of surfaces without damage to the drill. When the drill hasreached the end of its stroke and completed the aperture through theshank, the collar itengages the end of a switch member or trip 14a"operatively connected to a pivoted member 88. Raising the switch member14a lowers the member 88 and permits the member 89 to move forwardoperating the electric switch 14a which disconnects the high speedwinding and connects the low speed winding of the motor. The reducedspeed permits the weights 84 to move inwardly under the pressure of thespring 8! and the collar 18 retracts the drill shaft.

- In the preferred embodiment a second switch member or trip 9a" is also:provided and attached to a pivoted member 92 which'operates theelectric switch 90. through'the-intermediation of a .member 95. Thisswitch has an interlocking operation which will be described in moredetail later and which prevents the frazing operation of the next cycleunless the drill is in its retracted position. In this way simultaneousoperation of both the drill and frazing mechanism is prevented, anddamage resulting from interference between the two is avoided.

In view of the severe wear on the drill, an extremely hard material,which is usually brittle, should be used in making the drill. A carbidedrill has been found to give best results. Preferably the drill properis a two-flute design. The material in a carbide drill is brittle andtends to break under severe strains and jars. The present inventioneliminates'the disadvantages encountered with such drills and at thesame time retains the advantageswhich such types of drills have in thistype of work.

This is accomplished by the mechanism shown more particularly in Fig.11. The carbide drill 96 is not mounted in the usual drive chuck but ismounted in a holder which absorbs shocks and side motion in the drillingoperation. The preferred embodiment provides a sleeve portion 91 with achuck 98 at one end and a second chuck 99 at the other. Suitablethreaded sleeves I and I0! may beoperated to open and close the chucks.The drill 96 is mounted in one chuck and a spring steel rod or wire I02is mounted in the other chuck and in the chuck B0 of the motor drive.The spring steel rod or wire permits side sways which would break thedrill 96 and at the same time absorbs shocks which would also break ordamage the drill. In this way the advantages of a hard, lbrittle carbidedrill are attained without the resulting disadvantages.

Without the present attachment such a drill could not be used. With thpresent attachment the drill may be used up to eight hours withoutregrinding.

Wiring diagram In the following description of the wiring diagram andthe electric circuits, it will behelpful to keep in mind that each ofthe circuits is controllable by a hand-operated switch on the panelboard so that the particular element may be cut out manually. Of course,it has to be cut back in manually for the automatic switching operationsto be effective. The hand-operated switches permit each circuit to becut out for testing purposes and the like. In addition to the manualswitches controlling the respective circuits, there are one or moreautomatic switches, four of which are operated by cams l l9a and H90shown in Fig. 8, two of which are operated by cam H9 of Fig. 8 throughthe intermediation of the lever H6, and two of which are operated by thedrill motor illustrated in Fig. 10, one at the end of the forward strokeof the drill and the other at the end of the return stroke of the drill.

Likewise for simplicity the suflix a is used for automatic switches andthe suffix p for panel or manual switches. Generally the wiringconnections for each of the elements is designated by the number of thelement with a letter as a suffix.

In Fig. 9 a three-phase electric circuit is shown with the lines L1, L2and L3 connected through a three pole switch 527 to a suitable source ofpower. The three contacts 432b, i32c;and. l32d are controlled by thedevices shown within the broken lines M5. The machine is put intooperation; that is, the contacts 132b, I320 and. l32d are closed, bymomentary depression of the start button 13: shown in Fig. 1. Referringto Fig. 9, it will be noted that the closing of switch l3lp energizesholding coil I31, one side of which is connected to the power line LI bylead I311) and the other side of which is connected to power line L2 bylead I310, lead l3'ld, switch l3lp, lead l3lh, lead l3'la' and contactbar I35. Contact bar 135 is held normally closed across contacts E39 byspring pressure. It opens contacts H39 and closes contacts Mil only whenholding coil I38 is energized. The momentary depression of switch it lpalso closes contact 131e, together with the main power line contacts132b, [32c and l32d, as already mentioned. Upon the release of the startbutton l3l, switch l3lp opens. Holding coil I3! is still connected tothe power line Ll by lead 5 311) but it is now connected to the powerline L2 by lead I 310, lead I31 closed contact l3le, lead I317 andcontact bar I35. The various motors and magnets may. now be operatedfrom the power lines Ll, L2 and L3 as will be described below.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the magnet 41 is operated todraw the rod 48 downwardly, thereby to operate the closing chuck orgripper which positions the blanks for the fra-zing and drillingoperation. The circuit for this magnet 4'! is shown in Fig. 9. One sideof the magnet is connected by the lead 4'lb to the power line L2 and theother side is connected to power line Ll through the intermediation oflead 470, automatic switch 41a and panel switch 41p. The automaticswitch 41a controls magnets 47 and 52; as shown in Fig. 8, it isoperated by the lever 7 H6. The switch 41a normally energizes magnet 41,during which its contact is not contacted by the layer H6; as cam rollerH8 moves into an appropriate cam recess H9 (provided partially in eachof the cam portions H9 and H917), the switch 410. is operated by the camlever H6, the magnet 41 is de-energized, the magnet 52 is energized, andthe blank-holding jaws and backing pin are actuated to release theblank, as lever roller H3 moves out of recess H9, upon continuedrotation of the cam assemblage, the lever H6 is moved in an oppositedirection about its pivot and the magnet 4'! again energized and themagnet 52 de-energized.

The magnet 52, shown in Fig. 4, which raises the rod 68 for unclamping afinished button, is connected to the power line L2 by the lead 52b andto the switch 41a by the lead 520, which connects with contact 52a onone side of the switch 47a. As described above, the switch 41a isconnected to the power line Ll by lead 410 and panel switch 4710.

The magnet 10, shown in Fig. 4, for operating the selector or member 64which supports the button blanks in the guideway 2 when the bottom blankis released, is connected to the power line L2 by the lead 70?) and topower line Ll by the lead 100, automatic switch 10a and thehand-operated panel switch Hip. The automatic switch is shown in Fig. 8and controlled by the rotating cam lita so that the circuit is closed tohold the rod 69 in its downward position when it is desired to release abutton for retention by the release member 32 and in position to begripped for frazing and drilling. At other times the spring H retainsthe member 64 in effective position.

The magnet 37, as shown in Fig. 4. swings the release member 32 aboutits pivot to release a finished button. The circuit for the magnet 31 isshown in Fig. 9 where the lead 3?!) connects it with the power line L2.The other side of the magnet is connected with power line L! through theintermediation of lead Sic, automatic switch 551a and panel switch 31p.The automatic switch 31c, as shown in Fig. 8, is operated by the cam ililo to release finished. buttons.

The frazing motors 5 and 6 operate continuously at a relatively highspeedl8,000 R. P. M. in the preferred embodiment. The electricconnections for these motors are also shown in Fig. 9. One side of thefrazing motor 5 is connected through the lead 51) to the power line L2and the other side of the motor is connected through the lead 50 andpanel switch Sp to the power line Li. Frazing motor 6 is connected tothe power line L2 by the lead 6b and to the power line Ll by the lead 50and the panel switch 5p. These motors are controlled by the automaticstart-stop relay circuit described herein and by the panel switch 5p.

The hopper motor 26 (Figs. 1 and 9) is connected to the power line L2 bylead 2% and to the power line L! by lead 260, overload control 26d andpanel switch 26p. The hopper motor is also controlled by the automaticstart-stop relay circuit described herein. Preferably the hopper motoris connected to the hopper through reduction gears and friction plates.

As explained hereinbefore, the drill motor 14 has a high speed windingwhich operates at about 3600 R. P. M., and a low speed winding whichoperates at about 1100 R. P. M. The drill is automatically moved forwardon its feed stroke when the high speed winding is energized andautomatically returned from its stroke when the current is disconnectedfrom the high speed winding and connected to the low speed winding. Thecontrols for these high and low speed windings are shown in the wiringdiagram of Fig. 9. The panel switch Mp controls both the high speed andthe low speed winding. The power line L2 is connected to this switch bythe lead Mo. The

other side of the switch connects through the control for the low speedwinding through the automatic switch Ma operated by the cam actuatedlever I BE, shown in Fig. 8, a normally closed contact Md and a lowspeed holding coil Me. When the machine is started by depression of thestart button [3 l, current flows through the main power lines Li, L2 andL3. Switch Ma is normally closed as shown in Fig. 9. As low speedholding coil Me is energized it closes simultaneously the low speedwinding contacts ML, MM, and MN. At the end of the frazing operation,when the highest point on cam H9 is reached, cam-actuated lever i Itoperates switch Ma. The normally closed side of the switch ismomentarily opened and the normally open side momentarily closed,energizing the high speed holding coil Me. Once energized, high speedholding coil Me operates simultaneously five contacts, closing normallyopen contact Mg and high speed winding contacts 14h, M7 and Mk, andopening the normally closed contact Md. Thus the high speed windingcircuit is closed and the low speed winding circuit opened. As camroller H3 rides down from the high point of cam I [9 to the surface ofcam Heb, switch Ma is restored to its normal position, as shown in Fig.9 breaking circuit 14]. The high speed holding coil Me remainsenergized, however, through the high speed drilling circuit Mi. Aspointed out hereinbefore, the material of some of the blanks issufficiently hard that often it is not possible to drill the shankwithin the time limit of the usual cycle without undue strains and wearon the drill. To prevent this undesirable wear and strain on the drill,the high speed drilling circuit 74]. is provided, leading through switchMa and the normally open contact coil Mg, which is in parallel with thehigh speed circuit 14 and switch Ma. The automatic switch Ma is shown inthe drill motor drive in Fig. 10. The high speed winding is notdisconnected nor is the low speed winding connected, until switch I iais opened. When the drill has reached the forward end of its stroke, thecollar i8 engages the end of a switch member or trip I ia, operativelyconnected to switch Ma, so that the switch I la is opened. This breaksthe high speed drilling circuit 14f and deenergizes high speed holdingcoil l te. As a result the five switches actuated by said coil return totheir normal positions as shown in Fig. 9; high speed winding contacts74h, 147' and 14k open, as does the normally open contact Mg, while thenormally closed contact Md closes, energizing the low speed windingcircuit. Hence unless the drill has reached the end of its stroke andcompleted its drilling operation, the automatic switch 740; will beclosed and the high speed will continue with the low speed circuitwinding open. Heater coils M15 and Hit protect the high speed drillwinding by opening the normally closed contact 14f, thus breaking thehigh speed circuit, if the motor becomes overloaded.

Thus it will be seen that the drill motor never stops so long as poweris supplied to the machine; it merely is switched from low idling speedto high drilling speed periodically. Where excessive hardness isencountered in the button shank the automatic switch Ma in the drillhead continues the drilling operation until the drill reaches the end ofits stroke.

The motor 9 for driving the cams which operate the several automaticswitches for controlling the solenoids and other electrical circuits isconnected to the power line L2 by the lead 9b and to the other powerline L2 through the lead 9c, the overload control 9), panel switch 9pand relay 9e. In other words, the motor 9 will not operate unless therelay 9c is energized to hold the contact bar 9e closed.

The relay Se is connected to the power line L! on one side by the leads9g and 90. On the other side the relay 96 is connected to the power lineL2 by the leads 9d and ad which are in parallel. The lead 9d iscontrolled by the switch 9a, operated by the cam iific, as shown in Fig.8. The other parallel line Ed" is controlled by the switch ta inside thedrill unit (see Fig. 10). In other words, the cam motor 9 will operateif either of the automatic switches or 964 is closed. The switch 9a isoperated by the cam 119a and is opened by the cam once during eachrevolution thereof. If the switch 9a is open at that time, the cam motorstops, and of course the cycle is stopped. .The switch 90. in the motorunit is operated by the motor at the conclusion of its I occurs if themotor is operating at high speed at the time the switch 9a is opened bythe cam I I9a. In that case the cam stops its rotation until thedrilling operation is completed and the drill is retracted. In this waythe frazing operation and the operations of the solenoids arediscontinued until the drilling operation is finished. The cycles willcontinue consecutively unless a blank is encountered requiring anunusually long time to drill, in which case the cam stops as describedabove until the drilling operation is completed.

To stop the machine, button I33 is depressed momentarily. Referring toFig. 9, it will be seen that the closing of switch I33p energizesholding coil I38, one side of which is connected to power line LI bylead I382) and the other side of which is connected to power line L2 bylead I380, lead I38d, switch I331), lead I381, the closed switch I3 I pand the switch I33a which is actuated by cam II 9a. Contact bar I35moves to position. I35, across contacts I49. Upon the release of thestop button I33, switch I33p opens. Holding coil I38 is still connectedto the power line LI by lead I381), but it is now connected to the powerline L2 by lead I380, lead I386, contact bar I35, lead I381, closedswitch I3 Ip and cam-actuated switch I33a. The circuit energized byholding coil I31 during the operation of the machine has thus beenbroken by the movement of contact bar I35, but the machine continue tooperate through the auxiliary circuit just described which passesthrough cam-actuated stop switch I33a and acts as a time delay circuit.At the end of a cycle of operations cam IIBa opens switch I33a,interrupting the time delay circuit, and main power line contacts I322),I32c and I 32:! are restored to their original open positions. This cutsoff power from all circuits and the machine stops.

Thus, when the stop switch is operated the machine continues to rununtil a cycle is completed. This resets the machine for the beginning ofthe next cycle regardless of the position at which the stop button wasactuated. A safety cutout switch I34 is provided for emergency stops.

Operation In the operation of the machine, suitable blanks are placed inthe hopper I (Fig. 1). These blanks are picked up by the recess IS inthe rotating plate I3. If the blanks are in upright position, thecircular shoulder or rim 2%} holds them in the recesses until they reachthe guideway 2, where they slide into the guideway. The inverted blanks,however, will roll over the shoulder or rim 20 and drop back into thebottom of the hopper. The feed of the blanks i slightly in excess ofthat needed by the machine, the excess blanks spilling over the leftside of the upper end of the guideway 2.

'49 (Fig. 6).

Simultaneously the spring member 62 also on the rod 48 forces downwardlythe wedge or cam member BI to force the rod 56 against the button inopposition to spring 58. Thus the gripping members center the button andhold it in position while simultaneously the rod 56 pushes the buttonoutwardly so that the shank projects a maximum amount in each case. Whenthe button is thu clamped firmly in position, the cam II9 through theintermediation ofthe cam roller H8 swings the lever H6 about'its pivotto force the frazing motors into frazing position; the frazing motorsrun continuously. After the frazing operation is completed, the frazingmotors are returned by the chain I28 passing over a pulley I29 with asuitable spring or weight on its free end. As the cam actuated lever IIBretracts the frazing motors 5 and 6, it close the switch 14a todisconnect the lower speed winding and to connect the high speed windingof the drill motor 14. The weights '84 of the drill unit (Fig. 10) arethrown outwardly by centrifugal force, forcing the collar I8 and thedrill shaft within it to move to the right, compressing spring 8|. Ifthe drill encounters aparticularly hard shank, the rate of drilling willbe reduced by the increased resistance of the harder material which istransmitted back to the side of the centrifugal weight housing, slowingthe rate of feed. In this way, a longer period of drilling is allowedfor hard material and severe strains on the drill are avoided. At theend of the drilling stroke, the collar I8 operates the electric switch14a which discon- A series of blanks fill the guideway 2 with the Inects the high speed winding and connects the low speed winding of themotor. The motor then runs at low speed until the lever IIB againoperates the switch 14a to connect the high speed winding of the drillmotor I4. With the drilling operation completed, the cam II9c close theswitch 31a to operate the solenoid 31 (Fig. 4) which swings the releasemember 32 about its pivot 34 to release the finished button which fallsdown into a suitable receptacle (not shown).

After the release member is returned to its position, the cam II9acloses the switch 10a to energize the magnet I0 which draw downwardlythe cam member 69 and permits the slide 65 to move toward the left underthe influence of spring 66. This moves the member 64 to the left so thatthe blanks in the guideway 2 may drop until the lowermost one is stoppedby the release member 32. Thereafter the cam IIQa opens the circuitthrough the magnet 70 and permits the spring II and the members 69 and65 to press the member 64 against the blank next to the bottom one inorder to hold, them in position when another button is released. Thecycle as thus described continues without interruption unless thedrilling time required exceeds that of the cycle determined by the speedof the cam motor 9. In that case the cam motor is stopped by the openingof the switches 9a controlled by the cam Iota and 9a in the motor headsimultaneously.

The circuits for operating the switches have been described in detailunder the heading of Wiring Diagram. The inclusion of these at thispoint would be repetitious as reference may be had to the wiring diagramfor the operation of each circuit. As pointed out previously, once thestart button has been depressed the operation of the several circuits isentirely automatic, although any one of the circuits may be cut out by ahand-operated switch on the panel. These switches are designedwith thesufiix p indicating panel switch. Automatic switches are generally giventhe suflix a after the number of the parts which they control.

t will be seen that the present invention provides an improvedconstruction which automatically frazes grooves or channels in theshoulders and shanks of button blanks and, with these grooves as guides,automatically drills apertures in the shanks thereof. The operations areentirely automatic. A system of cycle control insures a uniform sequenceof operations, the machine is started by pressing a single button andstopped in the same manner. However, the machine comes to a halt onlyafter it has completed drilling the final button. The operator isrequired only to watch the machine and to keep the hopper supplied withblanks. One operator may care for several machines, and the cost ofmanufacturing buttons is greatly reduced. In addition, the compensatingdevices which permit slow drilling with hard blanks minimize wear on thedrill, which is a substantial item. Likewise the improved connection ofthe drill to its chuck through th intermediation of a spring rod permitsside sway and absorbs shocks, which further reduces the wear on thedrill. The machine is compact, self-contained and may be moved aroundfrom one position to another. The various elements are motor-operated.The parts of the machine are sturdy and fully capable of withstandingthe rough usage to which they may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of frazing and drilling the shanks of button blanks andthe like which comprises, feeding the blanks consecutively along agenerally upright path, positioning the lowermost of said blanks againstmovement in any direction, frazing the shank of said lowermost blank,drilling the shank in said lowermost blank, all in consecutiveoperations, and automatically controlling the speed of drillingresponsively to the hardness of the shank to avoid breaking the drill.

2. The method of frazing and drilling shanks of buttons which comprises,feeding the blanks consecutively to a guideway and therealong inedgewise manner, positioning the blanks in the guideway so that theshank of each blank projects outwardly a uniform distance, thereafterfrazing the shoulders and shanks thus positioned to provide sidechannels therein, drilling an aperture transversely of the shank whilethe blank is so positioned, and automatically controlling the speed ofdrilling responsively to the hardness of the shank to avoid breaking thedrill.

3. The method of frazing and drilling the shanks of buttons whichcomprises, feeding the blanks in a continuous row and positioning theblanks consecutively with the shanks exposed, frazing channels in theshoulders and shanks of said blanks, drilling lateral apertures in thethereon, a drill, means for driving the drill to drill an aperturethrough the shank of said button, and means for attaching a flexible rodbetween said means and said drill to absorb shocks and side motionswhich may be applied to the drill.

5. In a device of the class described, the combinaticn of a guidewayadapted to contain a series of button blanks, means for releasablysupporting the bottom button in the guideway, means for positioning saidbottom button in the guideway, means for supporting the button abovesaid bottom button in the guideway, and electromagnetic means foroperating said positioning and supporting means.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guidewayadapted to contain a series of button blanks, means for releasablysupporting the bottom button in the guideway, means for positioning saidbottom button in the guideway, means for supporting the buttons abovesaid bottom button in the guideway, electromagnetic means for operatingsaid positioning and supporting means, and cam means for operating saidelectromagnetic means consecutively.

'7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a generallyupright guideway, rotating means movable past an upper portion of saidguideway for picking up button blanks having a shank thereon anddelivering them to said guideway, and stationary means extending along aportion of said rotating means for retaining the blanks in said pickupmeans, said retaining means being ineffective on blanks having theirshanks in inverted position.

8. In a device of the class described, the combinatlon of a guideway,rotating means for picking up button blanks having a shank thereon anddelivering them to said guideway, means extending along a portion ofsaid rotating means for retaining the blanks in said pickup means, saidretaining means being ineffective on blanks havshanks, automaticallycontrolling the speed of ing their shanks in inverted position, one sideof said guideway at its upper end being open to peri'nit the blanks topass over the guideway when the guideway is filled with blanks.

9. In a device for frazing and drilling buttons having shanks thereon,the combination of means for positioning a blank having a shank thereon,frazing means for forming channels in the sides of the shank, means fordrilling an aperture through said shank, a cam for moving the irazingmeans inwardly and outwardly to effect its operations, and centrifugalmeans for controlling the inward and outward motion of the drillingmeans.

10. In a device for drilling apertures in buttons, the combination of adrill for drilling an aperture in a button blank, centrifugal means forcontrolling the rate of drilling, and means responsive to the positionof the drill for preventing subsequent operations on the button untilthe drilling is completed.

11. In a device for frazing and drilling shank button blanks, thecombination of frazing means for forming channels in the shank, a drillfor drilling an aperture in the shank, centrifugal means for controllingthe rate of drilling, and means responsive to the position of theirazing means for preventing the drilling until the frazing operation iscompleted.

12. In a frazing and drilling device, the 00111- bination of a drill fordrilling an aperture in a blank, centrifugal means for regulating thedrilling responsive to the hardness of the material,

17 and means for delaying other operations if the drilling is notcompleted in a predetermined period.

13. In a device for drilling button blanks, devices for positioning saidblanks for the drilling operation, devices for releasing said blanksafter they are drilled, electromagnets for operating said devices, adrill for drilling an aperture in the blank, and a timing cam for timingthe operation of said electromagnets and the normal starting andstopping of the drill.

14. In a device for frazing and drilling the shanks of buttons, thecombination of devices for positioning the blanks for the frazing anddrilling operations, devices for releasing said blanks after they arefrazed and drilled, electromagnets for operating said devices, frazingdevices for forming channels in the shank, a drill for drilling anaperture in the shank and means including a cam for timing the operationof said electromagnets, said frazing devices and said drill.

15. In a device of the class described, the com bination of a guidewayadapted to receive button.

blanks having shanks thereon with the shanks projecting therefrom, apivotally mounted memher having a portion projecting within the guidewayfor supporting a bottom button blank in the guideway, means above saidmember for positioning said bottom button blank in the guideway withmaximum projection of the shank, means for frazing channels along thesides of 18 the shank, means for drilling an aperture through the shankof said blank, and electromagnetic means for moving said positioningmeans away from the blank and said member out of supporting relationshipwith the blank thereby to release the blank.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair ofpivotally mounted members for engaging and centering a button blankhaving a shank thereon, electromagnetic means for forcing said buttonoutwardly of said members so that the shank will be exposed a uniformamount, and means for shaping the shank of said button while so engagedand centered and while said force is applied.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 323,312 Otis July 14, 1885 693,565 Pendry Feb. 18, 1902974,532 Skipp Nov. 1, 1910 1,020,359 Lane Mar. 12, 1912 1,089,856Morrissey Mar. 10, 1914 1,241,467 Hastings 1 Sept. 25, 191"! 1,353,680Vesely et al Sept. 21, 1920 1,863,737 Witte June 21, 1932 2,029,255Conner Jan. 28, 1936 2,313,981 Weber et a1. Mar. 16, 1943 2,333,121Pfeiffer Nov. 2, 1943

